When businesses are ready to volunteer
In the report at the Ministry of Construction's Key tasks implementation conference in June 2025 chaired by Minister Tran Hong Minh, the implementation of key infrastructure projects, especially highways, continued to be emphasized as one of the top political tasks. At the same time, many private corporations are also showing their determination to accompany.
A typical example is Phuong Thanh Traffic Investment and Construction Joint Stock Company, which has just officially proposed that the Ministry of Construction allow it to make a proposal to complete the CT.07 expressway section Hanoi - Thai Nguyen. Accordingly, the enterprise has proposed two investment options in the form of public-private partnership (PPP), with a total capital of nearly VND17,000 billion.
The first plan is to expand the Hanoi - Thai Nguyen section from 4 to 6 lanes, nearly 64km long, with a total investment of about VND6,790 billion. The second option is more ambitious: In addition to the above section, the Thai Nguyen - Cho Moi section will also be upgraded from 2 to 4 lanes, bringing the total length to more than 100km and the investment level to nearly 17,000 billion VND. After completion, the Hanoi - Thai Nguyen - Cho Moi - Bac Kan expressway will contribute to strengthening regional linkages and promoting the development of the northern provinces.
Not only Phuong Thanh, Deo Ca Group also expressed its desire to expand the North - South expressway in the East phase I from 4 to 6 lanes, completely without using the State budget. The document sent to the Prime Minister clearly demonstrates the commitment to resources, finance, human resources and progress.
Vietnam Infrastructure Development and Financial Investment Corporation (Vidifi) also submitted a proposal to the Government on investing in expanding six sections of the North-South Expressway, with a total length of about 300km.
The estimated investment is more than VND45,000 billion, implemented under the PPP method or other appropriate form. videofi affirmed its financial capacity and was ready to mobilize credit capital from shareholders to implement the project quickly and effectively.
The above proposals demonstrate a high proactive spirit from the private sector - an important change that helps reduce the burden of the budget, while creating more strong momentum to realize the goal of completing 5,000km of expressway by 2030.
Creating an open mechanism for businesses to get involved
At the June meeting, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh pointed out: To fully promote the potential of the private sector in the infrastructure sector, perfecting institutions and investment mechanisms is a top priority. The Ministry of Construction is actively developing and amending important draft laws and specific mechanisms to promote faster and more effective investment.
The Ministry of Construction has promoted the decentralization of construction investment, reporting to the Prime Minister to assign localities to implement five new expressways, including Bac Kan - Cao Bang, Quy Nhon - Pleiku and Tuyen Quang - Ha Giang (phase II). The " empowerment" of localities aims to increase proactiveness, while opening up opportunities for local businesses and domestic consortia to access projects.
Report data shows that the progress of the North - South expressway projects in the East in the period of 2021 - 2025 reached about 78.4% of the contract value, some component projects have exceeded the 80% mark. This speed of implementation is a positive signal in the context that many localities are still facing difficulties in site clearance and capital allocation.
However, to attract businesses to invest more in expressways, administrative procedures, approval processes, and negotiation of PPP contracts need to be reformed more strongly. Minister Tran Hong Minh emphasized that progress must always go hand in hand with quality, but quality cannot be achieved if there are procedures, if the institutions are not smooth.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hiep - Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors - expressed that Resolution 68 of the Politburo is truly the golden key to opening the door for businesses to overcome long-standing barriers in the inherently harsh business environment.
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Hiep proposed to remove detailed unit prices, applying general unit prices as international practice; adjusting current unit prices for salaries to only reach about 40% of the actual price to attract construction workers. He also proposed applying a special mechanism such as placing orders or appointing conditions for bidding, helping businesses proactively prepare forces, equipment and technology.
